A smile is such a simple gesture, yet it holds so much power. It is innately human - a universal way to convey happiness, greet one another and signal that we're nice people. Smiles communicate how we're feeling and are great for breaking the ice or awkward moments. A good-natured smile moves mountains, but if you're like the average person, it may not be perfect. And that's okay. But is it healthy?
Studies from the CDC show that 1 in 4 U.S. adults from 20 to 64 have cavities. Perhaps even more surprising is that approximately 34 million school hours are lost every year due to emergency dental care. For children, missing time could mean the difference between moving forward and being held back.
If you're one of the many people who feel ashamed about their teeth, need preventative oral care, or suffer serious issues like tooth decay, it's time to protect your teeth and gums. Luckily, Merchants Walk Dental is here to serve you with the highest quality dental work in East Cobb, from preventative care to cosmetic dentistry.
At Merchants Walk Dental, your healthy teeth and gums are our passion. Our dentists and hygienists are committed to providing you with the best dental care possible in a comfortable, stress-free setting. Since opening in 2017, we have become the premier dentist in Mountain Park, GA, offering many dental services such as:
As experts, we know how important oral hygiene is for your health. We feel that it's important to go the extra mile to speak with our patients about the best practices involved with brushing, flossing, and healthy gums. We know what an impact a beautiful smile can make, which is why we are so dedicated to providing our patients with cleaner, straighter teeth than ever before.
Having served Georgia and East Cobb for years, we understand that no two patients will ever have the same needs. That's why we provide personalized services like cleanings and root canals tailored to each patient's unique needs. We also know that money doesn't grow on trees, so we accept most major dental insurance plans to ensure you can keep your teeth clean and healthy all year long.
If you're searching for an expert team of friendly dentists and hygienists, look no further than Merchants Walk Dental. We pride ourselves on the best dental care coupled with warm, engaging customer service. You can rest easy knowing you're in capable, welcoming hands whether it's your first or fortieth visit to our office.
Here at Merchants Walk Dental, we understand that getting your teeth cleaned isn't something everyone looks forward to. However, getting regular teeth cleanings performed by a trustworthy dentist is the best way to maintain a healthy smile and avoid serious oral hygiene issues. And while it's easy to avoid the dentist, doing so for too long can be bad for your overall health.
Studies have linked poor oral hygiene to serious problems like cancer, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and strokes. If you're flossing and brushing at home twice a day, that's great. Doing so is the best way to get a leg up on critical oral hygiene problems. However, getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist helps ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, healthy, and protected.
It's a question we get all the time - what is periodontal treatment? This treatment focuses on your gums and preventing the common diseases that attack them. When left unchecked, plaque accumulates and hardens, forming hard-to-remove tartar. This tartar irritates your gums and will eventually lead to a litany of problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, and more.
During your teeth cleaning session at Merchants Walk Dental, we'll examine your gums closely to ensure they're healthy and functional.
Each of our teeth cleaning appointments has comprehensive check-ups, including:
The only surefire way to prevent tartar buildup and, by proxy, gum disease is by brushing and flossing diligently at home. If you have been slacking on regular brushing and have not visited a dentist recently, your gums could be suffering. If you have any of the following signs of gum disease, contact Merchants Walk Dental to schedule a dental exam in Mountain Park, GA:
If you have had a cavity filled before, you're not alone. Tooth decay affects more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 - a stunning statistic that, in many cases, is entirely preventable. At Merchants Walk Dental, we use composite resin fillings to keep our patient's teeth healthy and functional. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings are more discreet, match the color of your teeth, and are free of mercury.
While fillings can have a few uses, our doctors typically use fillings to âfillâ a part of your tooth that is decaying. This hole of decay is called a cavity. Sometimes, fillings are also used to fix broken, cracked, or worn-down teeth from grinding and nail-biting. Fillings are a great way to restore decaying teeth to their normal shape and function while preventing sensitivity and inhibiting further decay.
During your dental exam at our office in East Cobb, your dental hygienist will check for signs of cavities and tooth decay to ensure your oral hygiene remains in peak condition.
Abscesses- Without professional dental treatment, infected teeth lead to dental abscesses, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Nerve Pain- When your tooth is cracked and left without treatment, it can make its way to your nerve, resulting in extreme pain and damage.
Substantial Decay- If you leave an infection to fester without having a root canal, the infection can spread to other teeth in your mouth. If you don't address the initial signs of decay, you'll have to undergo treatment for multiple teeth.
Tooth Loss- Extensive decay and trauma often cause damage to your tooth's pulp. Our root canal treatments in Mountain Park remove this infected pulp. However, if you choose to ignore the problem, the infected pulp will rot your entire tooth, causing you to lose it forever.
One mention of the word root canal can send shivers up the spine for many people. Root canals get a bad rap, but the treatment has come a long way over the last decade.
When tooth decay and infection are left to fester, it can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. Often, root canals in cityname, GA, are the best choice for patients with extensively diseased teeth. The goal of a root canal is to save and repair teeth by removing the infection from the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
Signs of tooth decay that may require a root canal include:
When a substantial cavity threatens a person's tooth and fillings aren't working, many dentists will use crowns to fix the problem. A crown is an aesthetic cap or a tooth-shaped covering placed over another tooth or implant for stability. Typically, crowns improve appearance and strength of a patient's teeth.
Crowns are also used to restore the size and shape of damaged or chipped teeth. When used for this purpose, dental crowns are usually bonded to the tooth using dental-grade cement.
During your dental exam and cleaning, your hygienist will keep a sharp eye out for signs of tooth decay, which may require a crown. Benefits of dental crows from Merchants Walk Dental include:
Restorative dental treatments can be complicated, but dental crowns are straightforward and minimally invasive. During the process, your tooth's enamel is cleaned, and your damaged tissue is removed. Once that process is complete, we'll cast a custom crown for your tooth. While the crown is created, Dr. John Bishara or Dr. Milli Patel will provide you with a temporary crown for normal functionality.
Damaged enamel or structural damage can cause pain and sensitivity. Having a dental crown installed will help alleviate a good amount of your pain.
Our dental crowns are made with high-quality, long-lasting materials. With proper care and regular check-ups, they can withstand years of chewing, biting, and grinding.
When you lose one or more teeth, whether due to decay or another factor, it's important to fill the space where the tooth is missing. That's where dental bridges come in. Bridges are essentially fake permanent teeth used to fill holes caused by missing teeth. The false tooth is fused between two dental crowns giving it the bridge concept. Dental bridges are then typically anchored to healthy teeth using resin and cement.
The health of your teeth, their position, and the state of the surrounding bone will help our team determine if bridges are right for you. If not, dentures in Mountain Park, GA, might be a better option. Dentures come in two forms: partial and complete. Dentures are best for patients who have missing teeth but aren't able to use bridges. Complete dentures all your missing teeth, while partial dentures replace one or two teeth.
Getting cosmetic dentures can be a life-changing experience. It often requires physical and emotional preparation. At Merchants Walk Dental, our team will take as much time needed to consult with and prepare you for your denture procedure.
Whether you need dental bridges or cosmetic dentures, we're here to help make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Dental implants are needed when you have missing teeth, but you cannot or will not get crowns, bridges, or dentures. Failing to replace a lost tooth will cause a bevy of problems as time goes on. For many patients, dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, you can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. A dental implant serves as a permanent artificial root anchored into the jawbone.
When our team puts a dental implant in place, your jawbone grafts itself to the titanium post making it as strong as your original root and tooth. The result is a natural, beautiful, fully-functional set of teeth that lasts for years.
Establishing healthy dental habits early in life is key for long-term oral health and confidence. The best way to learn those habits is at home and in a dentist's office.
At Merchants Walk Dental, our goal is to foster long-lasting relationship with the families in our community who trust us to care for their children's dental health.
When you choose Merchants Walk Dental as your child's dentist, you can rest easy knowing we treat your loved one just like ours. Our professional hygienists and experienced doctors are trained and certified to give your kids a comfortable dental experience. We like to mix fun with education, putting your child at ease while helping them understand the importance of proper dental care.
Common habits like teeth grinding and thumb sucking can have profound effects later in life. Our doctors are keenly aware of these habits, and work hard to help you and your child develop creative solutions to halt that behavior.
Our pediatric dental services improve the health of your child's teeth and gums with:
Having served the East Cobb and Mountain Park for years, we know your dental needs are unique and different from your neighbor. That's why we offer a variety of dental services to address each patient's special circumstances, from standard cleanings to complex root canals. By using the latest innovations and techniques in dentistry, we can better serve each client on an individualized level, leading to better comprehensive dental care.
We're taking new patients and accept most major forms of dental insurance to keep your teeth healthy and clean without breaking the bank. Contact our office today to schedule your dental exam and learn more about our history!
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - A group of state representatives in DeKalb County has proposed big changes to Stone Mountain Park.Democratic State Rep. Billy Mitchell, whose district represents the park, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), and Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) introduced a bill Monday that would remove the official designation of Stone Mountain Park as a Confederate Memorial.House Bill 794, w...
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - A group of state representatives in DeKalb County has proposed big changes to Stone Mountain Park.
Democratic State Rep. Billy Mitchell, whose district represents the park, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), and Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) introduced a bill Monday that would remove the official designation of Stone Mountain Park as a Confederate Memorial.
House Bill 794, which is co-sponsored by all 16 members of the DeKalb County delegation, would also remove the word "Memorial" from the park's official title - changing the oversight body from the "Stone Mountain Memorial Association" to the "Stone Mountain Park Association."
"We have been waiting too long for action by the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority to act on needed changes to the false history of the park and the carving," Mitchell said in a statement. "We do not understand the delay and wish to set forth the changes that we see as necessary."
The bill would also remove the requirement for the association to stock and sell Confederate memorabilia and remove the requirement to preserve the carvings of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson on the mountain.
"I am a native of Georgia and DeKalb County, and Stone Mountain has been a part of all the stages of my life," said Rep. Oliver. "The park is an important asset for our county and state and enjoys enormous popularity and use. As such, the park needs to change its statutory history of honoring the Confederacy and adherence to a ‘lost cause.’"
Critics have called on the association to remove the colossal sculpture from the mountain’s northern face. Completed in 1972, it measures 190 feet across and 90 feet tall. It is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted and has special protection in Georgia law.
When Georgia lawmakers voted in 2001 to change the state flag that had been dominated by the Confederate battle emblem since 1956, language to guarantee the preservation of the Stone Mountain sculpture was included as a bargaining chip.
The law states that "the memorial to the heroes of the Confederate States of America graven upon the face of Stone Mountain shall never be altered, removed, concealed, or obscured in any fashion."
Stone Mountain wasn’t a battle site and had little historical significance to the Civil War. But 50 years after the war ended, the exposed surface of the mountain’s northern face sparked an idea among the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
"It looked like a giant billboard," said Stan Deaton, senior historian for the Georgia Historical Society.
The group hired sculptor Gutzon Borglum — who later would carve Mount Rushmore — to design a massive Confederate monument in 1915.
That same year, the movie "The Birth of a Nation" glorified the Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan and Stone Mountain played a key role in its resurgence, marking its comeback with a cross burning atop the mountain on Thanksgiving night.
Budget problems plagued the Stone Mountain project and work on the sculpture languished until the state bought the mountain and surrounding land in 1958 for a public park. Finishing the monument gained renewed urgency as the civil rights movement brought unwanted change to defiant Southern states.
"It became the centerpiece of the park," Deaton said. "There was never any doubt that the state’s intention of finishing this was of a piece with massive resistance."
An estimated 10,000 people attended the monument’s dedication in 1970. Another two years passed before its official completion.
Five decades later, the park at Stone Mountain markets itself as a family theme park rather than a shrine to the "Lost Cause" mythology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous defenders of states’ rights. Its website highlights miniature golf and a dinosaur-themed attraction while downplaying the Confederate carving, Confederate flags and brick terraces dedicated to each Confederate state.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State Representatives Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) have introduced House Bill 794, a bill which would remove the official designation of Stone Mountain Park in its entirety as a Confederate Memorial and removes the word “Memorial” from the park’s official title. HB 794 is co-sponsored by every member of the DeKalb delegation.“We have been waiting too long for action by the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority to act on needed changes to the fals...
State Representatives Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) have introduced House Bill 794, a bill which would remove the official designation of Stone Mountain Park in its entirety as a Confederate Memorial and removes the word “Memorial” from the park’s official title. HB 794 is co-sponsored by every member of the DeKalb delegation.
“We have been waiting too long for action by the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority to act on needed changes to the false history of the park and the carving,” said Rep. Mitchell, whose district includes the park. “We do not understand the delay and wish to set forth the changes that we see as necessary.”
“I am a native of Georgia and DeKalb County, and Stone Mountain has been a part of all the stages of my life,” said Rep. Oliver. “The park is an important asset for our county and state and enjoys enormous popularity and use. As such, the park needs to change its statutory history of honoring the Confederacy and adherence to a ‘lost cause.’ This legislation is consistent with recommendations from other groups and historians who wish to set forth a more accurate history of the Stone Mountain Park and its carving.”
This legislation would rename this recreational area’s oversight body from the “Stone Mountain Memorial Association” to the “Stone Mountain Park Association.” HB 794 would also remove the requirement for the association to stock and sell Confederate memorabilia. The bill would also remove the requirement to preserve the carvings of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson on Stone Mountain.
“I’m a proud product of DeKalb County, and Stone Mountain was integral to my development,” said Rep. Crawford. “The diversity of DeKalb County is an under-amplified gem in the great state of Georgia. Our ability to work together, despite of our diversity, is what makes DeKalb County unique. Honoring any Confederate history in an area with so much diversity is inconsistent with DeKalb County’s present-day values. It is time that our park reflects our evolution.”
The following state legislators have co-sponsored this legislation: Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Karen Lupton (D-Chamblee), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Becky Evans (D-Atlanta), Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta), Imani Barnes (D-Tucker), Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), Saira Draper (D-Atlanta), Shea Roberts (D-Atlanta), Long Tran (D-Dunwoody) and Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers).
Representative Billy Mitchell represents the citizens of District 88, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Minority Caucus. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and on the Banks & Banking, Ethics, Health and Regulated Industries committees.
Representative Mary Margaret Oliver represents the citizens of District 82, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Public Health Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, Juvenile Justice and the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees.
Representative Omari Crawford represents the citizens of District 84, which includes portions of DeKalb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Intragovernmental Coordination and Judiciary committees.
legis.ga.gov
Parks Canada has released a short film that tells the story of whitebark and limber pine conservation in the mountain national parks, and what conservation specialists are doing to safeguard and recover the future of these trees.Planting the Future, available on YouTube and just under six-minutes long, explores how whitebark and limber pines are keystone species in mountain ecosystems and play a crucial role in the...
Parks Canada has released a short film that tells the story of whitebark and limber pine conservation in the mountain national parks, and what conservation specialists are doing to safeguard and recover the future of these trees.
Planting the Future, available on YouTube and just under six-minutes long, explores how whitebark and limber pines are keystone species in mountain ecosystems and play a crucial role in their environment.
“Not only are these high-elevation five-needled pines iconic, they also provide food and shelter for wildlife, stabilize steep mountain slopes and hold onto the snowpack,” the park said in a news release. “Water then becomes available to other plants and helps create a gradual release of meltwater that stems the likelihood of flooding in the spring.”
Despite being an integral part of the mountain ecosystems, these trees are in trouble. Whitebark and limber pine are in decline across most mountain landscapes in North America and are at risk of extinction. They face many challenges, including white pine blister rust (a non-native fungus), historical forest-fire suppression, mountain pine beetle and climate change.
To help mitigate these threats, seven mountain national parks have joined forces to share knowledge and take action to save them from extinction. Identifying trees that show natural resistance to whitebark pine blister rust, collecting cones and planting seedlings are among several methods Parks Canada uses to help restore whitebark pine and limber pine.
Parks Canada provided these statistics and said Increased awareness of, and interest in, these species at risk will improve their chances of survival:
• 513 trees have been identified that show natural resistance to white pine blister rust.
• 250 trees were sent for white pint blister rust-resistance screening.
• 485,210 whitebark pine seeds have been collected.
• 97,326 whitebark pine seedlings have been planted in the mountain parks.
The seven national parks are in Alberta and British Columbia and include Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park.
If the increase in local upscale camping options is an indication, glamping is a trend that remains popular here in DeKalb County.“Glamping” is where camping and glamour intersect. These accommodations combine back-to-nature experiences with upscale accommodations that may include canvas tents with hardwood floors, electricity, air conditioning, chandeliers, comfy beds with plush bedding, fireplaces, indoor restrooms and more.Just a few years ago, glamping sites in metro Atlanta and Georgia were few and far between....
If the increase in local upscale camping options is an indication, glamping is a trend that remains popular here in DeKalb County.
“Glamping” is where camping and glamour intersect. These accommodations combine back-to-nature experiences with upscale accommodations that may include canvas tents with hardwood floors, electricity, air conditioning, chandeliers, comfy beds with plush bedding, fireplaces, indoor restrooms and more.
Just a few years ago, glamping sites in metro Atlanta and Georgia were few and far between.
Now there are more spots to choose from—some in DeKalb County and surrounding backyards.
And with more daylight hours now that we’ve turned back to daylight saving time, this season might be the perfect time to give glamping a try.
Ramsden Lake Located in Stone Mountain off Stewart Mill Road, Ramsden Lake describes itself as providing “boutique camping accommodations.” It opened in June 2020 by husband and wife Matthew and Blaine Keller. “For many of our guests we are the first time they have ever done any sort of camping and we love helping them have a great experience,” shared Matthew Keller via email.
Eight different camping accommodations are offered including:
• The Cove features a raised bed, hardwood floors, nightstand and console table, as well as suspended lighting. • Tin Can Cottage is a vintage Airstream camper with three-burner stove, tile backsplash, French press and record player. • Dogwood Tree Tent is a canvas cabin with windows across the entire front, private views of the lake, indoor clawfoot soaking tub, queen mattress and rain shower. “Each dwelling has been artfully designed and constructed by hand and filled with all the essentials you might need for a comfortable camping experience,” states Ramsden Lake’s website. “All campsites has a warm bed, cozy fireplace, heirloom quality dishes, lanterns, cast iron, luxurious rain shower, composting toilet. Air conditioning!” Rental prices range from $125 to $225 a night and include use of canoes, paddleboards and kayaks. For details, go to ramsdenlake.com.
Arabia Mountain Farm Surrounded by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area, Arabia Mountain Farm, which was established in 2020, offers five glamping experiences:
• Forest Dome is a geodome with a hanging bed and heated mattress, large windows, rugs, chairs and private outdoor shower. • Houseboat in the Trees is renovated 1969 Chris Craft house boat with refrigerator, microwave, couch, bathroom with shower, fire pit with chairs and more. • Airstream camper with three beds, two-burner cooktop, fridge and sink and dining seating. • Cozy teepee with rug and mattress, rugs, table and chairs, outdoor shower and outhouse. • Garden geodome with two beds, futon, chairs, rugs, heat and air conditioning, French press, large windows, outdoor shower and outhouse. “We strive to provide a fun, magical, and unique experience; our 5 star experience,” states the Arabia Mountain Farm website. “Glamorous amenities include fresh linens, climate controlled, electricity, and hot showers.” Rental rates begin at $63 a night for the teepee to $144 a night for the houseboat. The six-acre “mini farm” is home to goats and chickens and is located on Rockland Road in Stonecrest. Go to glampingatlanta.com for more information.
Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain Park’s yurts give campers accommodations with lake views. The wood and canvas yurts feature log furniture, skylights, heat and air, ceiling fans, table and chairs, bunk beds and double beds to sleep eight people. Outside there’s a charcoal grill and fire pit. Restrooms and showers are located a short distance from the yurts. Rentals start at $130 per night. Visit stonemountainpark.com for details.
Statewide Throughout Georgia, there are several other glamping options including Timberline Glamping Company, which has facilities at seven sites in Georgia and Florida including Amicalola Falls, Lake Lanier and Unicoi State Park. There’s also Pine Mountain RV Resort near Callaway Gardens that has added a new tent and has four glamping tents outfitted with furniture, air conditioning, chandeliers, rugs and more. Among the tents are:
• Springbok, a family tent with a queen bed and bunk bed for two • Bali, with a wood-burning stove, four-poster king bed, rain shower • Shaka, furnished with king bed and twin trundle bed, full kitchen Go to rvcoutdoors.com for more information.
In the spirit of March Madness, Urbanize’s first-annual Best OTP Downtown tournament is kicking off with 16 contenders vying for the prestige of being called the metro’s greatest. (Note: Seeding from 1 to 16 was determined by reader nominations this month, so no pitchforks, please.)For each Round 1 contest, voting will be open for just 24 hours. Please, let’s ...
In the spirit of March Madness, Urbanize’s first-annual Best OTP Downtown tournament is kicking off with 16 contenders vying for the prestige of being called the metro’s greatest. (Note: Seeding from 1 to 16 was determined by reader nominations this month, so no pitchforks, please.)
For each Round 1 contest, voting will be open for just 24 hours. Please, let’s keep the tourney fun and positive, as one OTP city center rises above the rest in very public fashion. The eliminations begin now!
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DULUTH (7)
Estimated city population: 32,000
Distance from downtown Atlanta: 27 miles
Secret sauce: A pioneer in downtown open-container districts
Built around an important railroad route (and named for the Minnesota city where those tracks led), Duluth in this century was an early adopter of suburban downtown regeneration/creation efforts—all anchored by a versatile, centerpiece greenspace with an amphitheater and splash pad. Today the growing slate of attractions in Gwinnett County's second-largest city includes the Red Clay Music Foundry (from Eddie Owens of Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic fame), Good Word Brewing and Public House, and former intown favorite O4W Pizza.
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STONE MOUNTAIN (10)
Estimated city population: 6,800
Distance from downtown Atlanta: 17 miles
Secret sauce: Free, quick entry by foot and bike to Stone Mountain Park, Georgia’s most popular tourist attraction
Situated almost literally in the shadow of Georgia’s most iconic rock formation, Stone Mountain Village limped through an era of disinvestment as tourists were rerouted directly into the private park next door—but a renaissance is clearly afoot. Storefronts and commercial buildings have sprung to life in recent years with the likes of Gilly Brew Bar (a coffeehouse occupying a gorgeous, historic former home), Cherokee Rose BBQ & Kitchen, and Outrun Brewing, a 1980s-themed social hub with patios overlooking that giant stone over the trees.
(POLLING HAS CLOSED AFTER 24 HOURS. Thanks to all who participated, and congrats to Duluth, which advances to the 2023 Elite Eight round.)